Einstein’s Nobel Prize, Theory of Relativity, Letters to Lovers and Vinyl Record Collection on Display at First-Ever Asia Exhibit
For the first time in history, the Albert Einstein Archives at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem (HU) will be on display in Asia. The exhibit, Albert Einstein: Life in Four Dimensions, curated by Avi Muller, opened on January 12 at the National Chiang Kei-Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan. Scores of original Einstein memorabilia are on display, including his 1921 Nobel Prize, handwritten pages from the Theory of Relativity, letters exchanged with Sigmund Freud, family members and lovers, and the physicist’s own vinyl record collection.
Taiwan is the first stop on the Einstein exhibit’s Asia tour. Taipei will house the collection through April 8, whereupon the exhibit will head to China and Japan.
This historical collaboration began more than two years ago when Taiwan’s Blue Dragon Art Company reached out to the Einstein Archives at Hebrew University to propose the exhibit. Since then, curators, conservationists, shippers and handlers have painstakingly worked to edit, collect, wrap and transport the 100 year old collection.
In all, 75 artifacts were shipped from Hebrew University in Jerusalem to Taipei, Taiwan. A Brinks truck, complete with a police escort and a dummy car to throw off potential thieves, delivered the collection. Forty of the more valuable artifacts hand to be hand-delivered by Dr Roni Grosz, curator of the Einstein Archives and his colleague, chief conservator Neil McManus.
“This exciting new exhibition in Taiwan further deepens Hebrew University’s ties with the people of Asia,” said HU president Professor Asher Cohen. “For years our academics have collaborated with their colleagues in the Far East, now the people of Taiwan will get to experience one of our greatest minds up close.”